POWERED BY 'MAGINATION...

I'm still in the process of learning how to do a stinkin' image swap in Dreamweaver CS3! I feel a little bit like the 3 blind mice! Anyway, my "whiteboard" website is finally up :) www.deb-johnson.com.

We share Similar thoughts with our Cat Josie...a nice quiet Christmas Eve...

Better late than never! Here is a snip from a work-in-progress...there is still much to add! Let's PRETEND our snowman will be just like Frosty!

I've had so much fun the past few months as a graphic designer for a local (yet upscale!) publication, Showcase Magazine. At first, it was an all-consuming endeavor...lots of hours and new things to learn. I'm finally getting settled (somewhat) and can return to what I truly love, illustrating. I've also found another great way to communicate and keep up - FACE BOOK! Think about signing up. There is a HUGE illustration community. Anyway...back to the feel of sketchbook paper, the flexibility of digital paints and a creative block that seems to be going away.

This is actually for two weeks...Clutter and Island. He's made an island out of a clutter of stuffed hugs!

I'm still trying to find a something I like...time to redo the kitties...this time the line art is done in Illustrator. I'll repaint a new background and post it later. I just might have to redraw it before I'm happy!

Can you find the mittens?

We spent the weekend in Harrisonburg, VA...did a little hiking and got attacked by ticks and horse flies; went to a winery and brewery, and the best part--taking my daughter to lunch! She'll be 21 in two weeks...time flies. We came back home on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was hot, hazy and humid but it was still so very beautiful! We found a camp ground we'd like to go back to in the fall.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

God hand-picks each one of us from the very beginning to do His good works in this world!

A SEED of inspiration and creativity begins with a quiet moment to one's self.

Megan's other sock was missing...she looked everywhere...

While a wrinkled Mr. Williams explains the "big" one that got away, his trusty pooch, Sparky, shows a slightly different version of the story... This is a snippet of a larger picture in progress.

In this day of modern gimmicks and gadgets, Hank and Agnes hold on to their primitive values of how marriage should be!

This blog is about an amazing family...read the " short version " first to understand what the blog is about and then find the time to read all of it. The blog is called Confessions of a CF Husband . Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Just before she was put on the double lung transplant list she and her husband, Nate, found out they were pregnant. Baby Gweneth was born 15 weeks early. Nate is a wonderful writer and his blog is about his two girls and their progress. I try to read Nate's updates each day :)

Today, I am digging through some research photos online and came across the blog for Julie Zickefoose... She's a nature artist and writer and she does the most beautiful watercolors. Make the time to check out her blog and web site.

Josie's PET PEEVE is that her bowl is too small for her chubby little face :)

Here is a snippet of something I did last week. I'm not sure if I can mention jobs/publishers, etc...so, it's just a snip! Had a lot of fun with them!

God seeks to be a part of every nook and cranny in my life. And He is. Thank you God for seeing my heart and being such a presence. Your gifts are truly amazing and the love You have for all of us is nothing short of awesome :)

I haven't finished my rock band...but here's what I have so far! I don't know about you, but I'm ready to rock ahead into SPRING...and SUMMER...and OUTSIDE! I'm glad winter is on the way out!

Decided to add a little more to the earlier picture and do it for IF's theme "Leap".

One of my goals this year is to branch out and stretch the limits of Photoshop with watercolor effects. I need lots and lots and lots of practice! I did a quick digital pencil sketch this morning and practiced with a few different brushes. I didn't use any selection tools to paint...I really want a loosey-goosey feel (although this little guy isn't there yet...not loose enough!) I LOVE watercolor paintings but could never grasp the traditional technique for myself. Paige Keiser makes it all seem effortless...she's a fantastic traditional painter. Digital painting makes it possible for me to change errors, try different effects, etc. and I absolutely love it! I'm hoping to be able to buy my Cintiq this year which will make the painting all the more fun and easy! There are free watercolor brush sets available for Photoshop on the web (I need to put something like a few links here, don't I?!). This is where my expertise ends (for now) and new reading begins! ...

The wonders of Spring! We have daffodils popping up and trees starting to bloom! This time of year is always so amazing...it's waking up after a long winter's nap!

It's been a busy few days! I'm polishing up my first flier for Tugeau2 (gotta order this today!) and I updated my web site for Spring. Please let me know if you see any mistakes!

Little Miss Muffet LEAPED off her tuffet when Mr. Spider and his MULTIPLE legs came calling! I had to work with something quick...IF theme this week is "Multiple" and PBWS is "Leap"...I think I pulled it off :) This line art is done in Illustrator and it's also being painted in Photoshop - it's not ready yet!

My wonderful friend and brilliant artist, Sherry Rogers , has tagged me! I guess I'm supposed to spill 5 revealing pieces about me across the page of my blog. Not very splashy...but here goes! 1. My hands constantly do a "control z" motion when I'm HAND sketching and make a mistake. 2. I love my dogs and cat but am allergic to them so I vacuum and sweep alot! I have waged war on the dust bunnies in my house and they are still winning...one day I will learn the secret and publish a book on how to exterminate the varmints.... 3. I don't like foofoo coffee but I go to Starbucks almost every afternoon and get a Venti-sized regular coffee with shots of sugar free vanilla. I always take my sketchbook...it's my little afternoon getaway from the dogs until the weather gets warmer! 4. I love to crochet and just joined a knitting group that meets at Starbucks every Monday night...I am hoping they re-teach me to knit. These ladies are talented! 5. Small-town liv...

My daughter and I went to the Winterjam 2008 tour at the Greensboro Colesium on Saturday. It was so amazing to see 20,000 or so people move to God's music and words! There are no tickets - it's $10 at the door and you get to see amazing performances by Mandisa, Skillet, MercyMe, Barlow Girl and others. For them it's a mission/faith tour to spread the words of Christ to those who may not otherwise know Him. Music packs a powerful message. If the tour comes to a city near you, it's a wonderful opportunity for a family and/or youth group trip.

I'm not really happy with the final colors...maybe I'll rework it!

This is my submission...in progress! I've been so busy, I don't have a choice but to be a bit late! The sketch came about as I was sitting in our local bakery/coffee house, Bronx Boy Bagels....all the CHOICES....I couldn't CHOOSE my favorite...they're ALL my favorite!!! More to come...

After a very busy weekend of deadline work...and when everything had been delivered...I took my sketchpad and headed to the local Starbucks for a little bit of peace, quiet, coffee...and sketching that's not on a deadline! Tonight was special, though...a local group of people who love to knit have started gathering at Starbucks on Monday night at 6:00 PM. I don't really like to knit, but I love to crochet...and when Robin Hasty came over to say I looked like someone she knew...we started talking...and now I'm gonna be meeting with them next Monday night - only I'll show up with my crochet hook! She shared her love of knitting - and her blog, For the Love of Fiber . I'm extremely excited! Maybe I'll pick up my knitting needles again! If you get a chance, check it out. She has all kinds of information and beautiful work to share!

I found "Angus" at Paige Keiser's blog site... adopt your own virtual pet!

Okay...I'm stretching the theme waaaay out!

This is something I illustrated for the Bright Baby Bunny Kit (Highreach Learning 2006). I also got to design and/or draw the puppets for the kit. I learned that my sewing background came in handy and hope to get to design more puppets, toys or dolls in the future.

When Stevie puts on his magic blanket cape the adventures begin!

A personalized birthday card...

The tale of cupid's elephants...a pair of love-struck elephants who pass their magic to unsuspecting humans on Valentine's Day! Are you ready to be tapped on the shoulder by their magical trunks?!

I just realized I haven't updated my website in over a month!!! Gotta add new stuff! Keep checking :)

I don't know how she does it, but she does it well and we all appreciate it! Dani Jones has a blog called Dani Draws that is just LOADED with all kinds of goodies for illustrators. Now she has created a new blog for digital painters and tech geeks (like myself) called Digital Painter News . There is so much to read, learn and do on her blog sites that I try to set aside a little time each day to absorb something new! Dani, thank you soooo very much!

I was SOOOO SURPRISED to receive the "You Make My Day" award from the wonderful artist Ursula Shaw . It really made my day to get it! Here’s how the “You Make My Day” award works! 1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make me think and/or make my day. 2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver. 3. Display the "You Make my Day Award" logo with a link to the post that I wrote. (Optional) 4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news. Here are just a few of the blogs that make my day...EVERY DAY... and so if they haven't already received it, I am passing this award on to them: Sherry Rogers Dani Jones Phyllis Harris Paige Keiser Roz Fulcher Thank you again, Ursula!

I wasn't happy with the first one...so I added a few things to try and update the illo. Any comments are appreciated!

anyone got a recipe for wolf stew?!...

Today it's monkeys...for some reason I'm drawing monkeys! Actually, it's for a project but it took me 3 days to come up with a monkey I liked. Now I can't stop! More to come!

I've been working...here are a few snippets of different projects. I'm also working on new portfolio illustrations - finally!

Danville got about an inch of snow overnight...we might get TWO inches by the end of the day! Coming from Northern Virginia, where we usually got decent snowfalls, living in South-Central Virginia can be disappointing if you want to see some snow! This is Lexi's first snow...she loved it!